As the war between the empires raged for years, the lust for power became the main conflict, resulting in widespread poverty and death. The Morfiem Empire became notorious for its invasions, enslavement, and exploitation, and it remained the primary threat until someone decided to stop them.
As the father watched his sons train, Yashiro stopped in anger.
Yashiro: "Father, I am sick of this! There's no way someone like him is going to defend the honor of our family and empire one day!"
Makato: "Yashiro, you need to have some patience with your little brother. I believe that when the time comes, he will overcome his lazy nature and become a great warrior."
Yashiro: "But just look at him! He's slacking off all the time. Instead of practicing channeling his energy, he's catching butterflies! I can't stand this nonsense—I'm going to take a bath."
As Yashiro walked through the hall of his home on his way to the bathroom, he felt a sharp pain in his right leg. He collapsed and had a blurry dream, but he forgot it after waking up and thought nothing of it.
Meanwhile, Makato sat next to his distressed younger son, Kyashi, and started talking to him:
Makato: "My son, what do you think will happen to you in the next few years?"
Kyashi: "How am I supposed to know that, Dad? All I want is to have a peaceful life here without fighting."
Makato: "But there is no peace in this world, and it is sure to collapse at some point in the future."
Kyashi: "But Father, I guess we won't be around when that happens, because it's going to be in the very distant future, right?"
Makato: "I hope you're right. Let's go inside; your mother is waiting."
Makato's voice trembled slightly, as if he knew that something bad was going to happen sooner than Kyashi predicted.
After Yashiro finished his bath, he returned to his room, only to find that the pain in his leg hadn't stopped. Out of anger, he kicked the wall, completely destroying it. Makato heard the commotion and went to check what had happened. Seeing the destroyed wall, he asked Yashiro:
Makato: "What happened, and how did you do this?"
Yashiro (angrily): "I don't know! My leg has been hurting all day, so I just felt like punishing it by hitting the wall! But somehow I ended up destroying it without any scratches on me!"
Makato: "Why are you always so aggressive? Calm down. Let me see."
After uncovering Yashiro's leg, Makato spotted a strange dark-colored dot on it. He didn't say anything—he just muttered something and left, which left Yashiro feeling revolted and disappointed, as it seemed like Makato didn't care.
Yashiro: "Wait, where are you going?! Can you tell me what the hell is wrong with me and how I was able to do this?!"
Makato: "This is my first time encountering this. You will know when the time comes. He will tell you."
Yashiro (angrily): "Who the hell will tell me what? You never tell me anything! I swear if this pain keeps bothering me, I will cut my leg off, but then I won't be able to take over your throne. Think about it."
Makato: "Then Kyashi will inherit it."
Yashiro: "That pillow-like whiny child? As if I would let that happen."
Makato: "Come eat with your family. The meal will cool off if we wait too long."
After Yashiro left the room, Makato wrote something on a piece of paper and left it there.
After they finished their lunch, Makato flinched as if he sensed something was wrong. He told Yashiro to take Kyashi down to the underground hall. When he stepped outside, he noticed birds fleeing, the wind picking up strength, and heavy rain pouring down as a big storm approached. It was the Winged King. He appeared to be riding the storm, leading his 10 strongest warriors along with him. As he reached the castle walls, he stopped and began addressing Makato.
Winged King: "Well, good day to you, my old friend!"
Makato: "You're not my friend! Why did you come here?"
Winged King: "Take it easy; can't you see I'm trying to be polite?"
Makato: "I have nothing to discuss with you. Leave now!"
Winged King: "Actually, you do. I came here to request something."
Makato: "My people are already suffering because of your influence here. We're paying our taxes to you. What the hell do you want now?"
Winged King: "You see, this time I did not come for any of that. It's a bit simpler."
Makato: "Simpler? What is it?"
Winged King: "Hmm, how do I put it? I'll say it as simply as possible: I want your son."
Makato: "You want Yashiro?"
Winged King: "No, no, no! Hahaha! Why would I want him? I want your red-haired pupil."
Makato: "Kyashi? And why do you think you can just come here, to the city of the Uchimasu Empire, stand in front of my door, scare my people, and demand that I hand over my son? WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?"
Winged King: "It appears you're unaware of his... little talent. How about this: You give me your son, and I will lift all my influence from this country, rendering you and your people tax-free and granting you everything that comes with it."
Makato, usually calm and composed, became angry and frustrated at the King's proposal.
Winged King: "Oh, it looks like this is going to be difficult. I'm disappointed in you, Makato." (Grueling and intimidating voice, contrary to his usually playful and mocking tone) "So be it. Forces, scatter! Kill the people, beat their children in front of them, cut off their limbs, burn homes, and make their lives even more miserable!"
As the Winged King gave the command, 10 of his followers descended and began invading the city. Uchimasu's local defense forces saw this and rushed to stop them.
Makato, hearing this, hesitated no longer. He calmed down, and his eyes turned a burning bright red.
Winged King: "Ooh, delightful! You were very good at hiding it, Makato, but now that you've shown your true self, there's no need for me to take your son. I'll take you instead. Or no—I'll capture you, then your little son, and then kill him right in front of you! Hahaha, how does that sound, Makato?"
Makato didn't hear a word. Instead, a long, single-spike sword with a giant crystal above the handle appeared in his hand. He pushed the sword forward and created an energy blast that pushed the King away, bruising his cheek.
Winged King: "You finally decided to do something, huh?"
The King pulled out a staff with an upside-down triangular shape on top and rings in it. As he swung it, surges of tornadoes and lightning struck at Makato, but he was unfazed. He dodged them in a dance-like manner, moving so fluidly that he seemed impossible to hit. However, his city was being destroyed with each swing of the King's staff. As Makato continued to evade the King's blows, the King became frustrated. But before he realized it, Makato had impaled him with his sword.
Winged King: "What? How?"
Makato: "There's no place in this world for those like you."
The King burst out laughing upon hearing this. Then a massive explosion occurred, sending Makato flying 200 meters away.
Winged King (laughing): "No place for me, huh?"
As he said this, he began transforming into a giant, god-like figure with a helmet and clouds around his belt and knees.
Makato thought to himself: "What is this? It must be at least 100 meters tall. This bastard has a demon crystal!"
Winged King: "Where will you go now, Emperor Makato? I will kill you, your pathetic kids, and this entire stupid nation of yours, then rebuild it with my hands to be the perfect one. Now, behold the power of a God."
Upon saying this, the Winged King's new form gained wings that looked like they were made of clouds, and in his hand appeared a staff similar to the previous one but much larger. With one swipe of his hand, he sent a wave of wind energy that destroyed seventy percent of the city, flattening it.
Winged King: "HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, HUH? YOU COULD HAVE JUST TURNED YOUR SON OVER, BUT NOW YOU'VE LOST IT ALL! YOUR NATION, YOUR STATUS, YOUR PEOPLE! THE HOMES ARE BURNING, CHILDREN ARE DYING—YOU'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!"
Makato listened silently, then his blade turned into energy and disappeared. In its place, a gigantic energy bow-shaped weapon formed around the crystal. As Makato pulled the string, enormous amounts of energy twisted and flowed into the bow, creating a giant energy arrow of unknown power.
Winged King: "What is that? You think that could harm me? I'm a GOD!"
Makato didn't respond. He simply released the arrow, which pierced the Winged King's chest, causing a massive explosion that sent the King flying backward.
Meanwhile, Yashiro and Kyashi felt the tremors and sensed that something catastrophic was happening.
Yashiro: "Something's wrong! The ground is shaking—something is happening out there!"
Kyashi: "Father told us to stay here. It must be dangerous!"
Yashiro: "Listen, I'm going to check out what's happening, or I won't be at ease. Don't tell Dad later, but you—don't you dare leave this place until I or Dad come back for you. Is that understood?"
Kyashi: "Yes, but please come back as soon as you can."
Yashiro: "Don't worry, I will."
As Yashiro ventured outside, the city was a scene of devastation. Destruction, carnage, and blood covered the streets. Red, pink, and blue hues stained what was once a serene capital, now the stage of a bloody war. The air, once filled with the sounds of birds, rivers, and wildlife, was now heavy with the screams of dying fighters and the stench of blood—a scene straight out of a nightmare. An army and a rebellion clashed over resources, but it was clear who would emerge victorious. The wounded of the losing side lay in large groups across the city, their faces grim with sorrow and anguish. Though they wanted to give up, they somehow kept fighting.
When Yashiro saw this, tears welled up in his eyes from the overwhelming sadness. He encountered one of the King's 10 followers and immediately engaged in battle. However, due to his inexperience in real warfare, Yashiro was quickly overpowered. The Winged King, now weakened and wounded, addressed his followers:
Winged King: "Retreat with me! This isn't over!"
The King could no longer see Makato, but he screamed into the stormy air:
"I will come back, Makato! I won't go easy on you next time, and I will take you with me!"
Yashiro heard this and, covered in blood, rushed back to find his brother. But when he reached the underground hall, Kyashi was nowhere to be found. Instead, Yashiro found his brother's severed arm lying on the floor.
The horrifying aftermath of this battle plunged the empire into civil war. Thousands lay dead, homes were destroyed, children were orphaned, and the Emperor—Makato—was nowhere to be found.